By Fiachra Ó Cionnaith“2 b r not 2 b, dat is de q” may be a phrase that sounds more Bertie than Shakespeare, and “all animals r =” will ensure a fail grade in almost any English literature exam.

TOO Hot to Hug!, by Steve Smallman and Gee Biscoe (Little Tiger; €13.40 HB), is the story of Rupert who finds a warm egg and takes it home.

RECLUSIVE author Annie Proulx arrived in Ireland yesterday to open a literary festival and will spend the next few days in west Cork researching a new book.